Chapter 97 I suspect that my husband and I will live and die together.
Princess Chun'an personally came to invite me. This was an extremely rare opportunity, and I never dared to hope for it.
Everyone's eyes were focused on her. Xue Luwei and Wei Yiner looked at her eagerly and nodded continuously. Others were either envious or curious, and were also full of expectations for her attitude.
The King of Jin whispered to her, "Aying, enjoy life to the fullest when it is yours."
From the moment Ying's nails dug into the flesh of his palm, he could feel his own heartbeat, which was then pumped throughout his body along with the blood. A surge of excitement surged in his heart, like a thin burning flame.
She had repeatedly told herself to just give up and not to daydream about such illusory things.
But the seeds planted in Xuzhou never really died. Once melted by the spring breeze and watered by the timely rain, they struggled to break through the barriers in my heart and almost blurted out.
Cong Ying looked up at Princess Chun'an and saw the princess raising her glass to toast her.
"The first cup is to resolve the old grudges between me and the Jiang family. I hope you will forgive me for the trouble I caused you in the past."
"The second cup is to thank you for your support during the discussion. Taiyi is where she is today thanks to you."
"This third cup is an invitation to you to take the position of Grand Master of Ceremonies. I wish to entrust the Grand Master of Ceremonies to you. Jiang Congying, do you dare to accept it? Are you willing to accept it?"
The princess drank three cups without changing her expression and then placed Cong Ying on the high platform, leaving her with no way to avoid it and forcing her to respond.
In fact, this is still coercion, taking advantage of the princess's status, taking advantage of the expectations of old friends, and taking advantage of the difficult situation of Taiyi. It's just that the hard knife has been replaced by soft shackles, and coercion and inducement have been replaced by emotional threats.
At this point, if she still refuses to agree...
Princess Chun'an smiled kindly and gently, but in her heart she was pondering the feasibility of taking the person back to the princess's mansion.
Prince Jin coughed lightly a few times and cleared his throat, as if to remind others that he was not dead yet.
While he was thinking about it, he saw Jiang Congying also poured himself a glass of wine, stood up, walked to the open space in front of the princess's desk, knelt down, and raised the wine glass to his eyebrows.
Prince Jin wanted to stop her: "Aying, that's wine."
Cong Ying nodded: "Yeah, I know."
Her expression was gentle and resolute, showing no trace of sadness or joy. Only her pair of bright eyes, like autumn water, fell on the princess, with a faint ripple-like light.
She said, "I dare, I do."
After saying this, he raised his glass and drank the wine in it in one gulp.
Her voice, saturated with wine, was clear and soft. "Your Highness, you have wronged yourself. How could Ying not obey your orders? Today, in front of Your Highness and all the teachers and students of the Taiyi School, Ying is willing to swear a military order. Since I have accepted the order in this critical moment and am honored to be the head of the Taiyi School, I will do my utmost to turn the tide. If I cannot lead the Taiyi School to victory in the debate at the end of the year and save the girls' school, Ying is willing to commit suicide in front of the Taiyi School to atone for the crime of betraying Your Highness's deep kindness!"
Although the tone is soft, each word is as loud as falling pearls.
Princess Chun'an was shocked by her words. She thought Congying might agree, but she didn't expect her to do so in such an uncompromising manner. Although she looked soft and gullible on the surface, she actually had such resolute pride on the inside.
All the calculations in my mind were shattered at once.
The princess quickly stood up and helped her up: "Please get up quickly, why are you so upset?"
Unexpectedly, she stumbled while supporting Congying, and fell towards her without warning. Before Princess Chun'an could react, another hand reached out from the side, firmly supported Congying, and skillfully held her in his arms.
It is the King of Jin.
He said, "A Ying is drunk."
The princess was a little surprised: "Just one cup?"
"Yes, she has a very low alcohol tolerance and rarely drinks on her own initiative."
The first time she took the initiative to drink wine was the wedding wine with Xie Xuanlan on their wedding night. Today, she was toasting to Princess Chun'an for the second time.
Prince Jin looked down at Congying, his eyes filled with an unexplained emotion. "If she hadn't had something heartfelt to say, if she hadn't made a life-or-death promise, she wouldn't have picked up the wine glass. Princess, many have pledged their loyalty to you, but Ah Ying's sincerity is rare."
Princess Chun'an looked quietly at Cong Ying with her blurry eyes, and felt an unexpected emotion in her heart.
It feels like being cherished and flattered, and it tastes sour and soft.
The King of Jin said, "This time, don't let her down again."
＊
Cong Ying had never expected the wine at the banquet to be so strong that she couldn't even walk back to the table. When she woke up again, she was lying in Ji Su Garden in Prince Jin's Mansion, and Zi Su was wringing a handkerchief to wipe her face.
Seeing that she was awake, he handed her the handkerchief and asked, "What good news could have made you so happy that you're drunk like this?"
"Thank you." Cong Ying took the handkerchief and covered her face with it. "It's not a happy event. I just couldn't help but have a drink."
"Then why did you laugh in your dream?"
Cong Ying was stunned: "Really? Am I talking in my sleep?"
"If you ask whether it's true or not, then it must be true. Otherwise, you would have accused me of talking nonsense. Let me guess, did Madam Xie's letter to you bring you news about the Third Young Master?"
Cong Ying pinched her sleeve and was startled: "Where's the letter?"
Zi Su reached under the mattress and pulled out the envelope and handed it to her: "Here, Prince Jin dropped it on the ground when he brought you back. Luckily, I was quick and he didn't see it."
Seeing that the wax seal was intact, Cong Ying breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you, dear sister."
Zi Su laughed at her: "Oh, you know how to act like a spoiled child now. You don't plan to distance yourself from me like before?"
Cong Ying said, "I did that for a reason. You informed the King of Jin and caused him to capture me. Of course, I dare not trust you anymore."
He recalled Xie Xuanlan's words before he left that Zi Su was trustworthy, and asked doubtfully, "Who are you on the same team with?"
Zi Su said: "Water has no fixed state, and I have no fixed party. It all depends on who gives more money."
Cong Ying smiled and shook her head: "Then I advise you to wait for the right price and don't be in a hurry to sell me too early, otherwise..."
She opened the letter and read it while chatting and laughing. Her eyes swept over the contents of the letter, and suddenly she fell silent. The smile on her face gradually disappeared, and a solemn look appeared in her furrowed brows.
Zi Su asked with concern, "What's going on? Could it be that Madam Xie knew you were in Prince Jin's mansion and wrote to reprimand you?"
Cong Ying shook her head slightly.
Mrs. Xie said in the letter that Sanlang was assassinated in Xizhou and the mastermind might be Prince Jin, so she asked her to be careful.
Cong Ying recalled the solemn promise that Prince Jin had made to him that he would never harm Sanlang. She believed that Prince Jin was not a sinister and cunning person, and she really didn't want to doubt him at every turn.
But this news was directly sent back by Xie Xuanlan from Xizhou.
Who should she trust?
Cong Ying held the letter in her hand, her expression confused for a moment, but she quickly made up her mind. She grabbed Zi Su's hand and said, "I want you to help me verify something."
…
The Prince of Jin was aloof by nature, and after carefully selecting his close associates, only the two brothers Chen Zhang and Chen Cheng were left.
Chen Zhang is a martial arts expert, a man of few words and a quiet disposition, and is often sent to handle foreign affairs. Chen Cheng is smart, patient and meticulous, and stays in Guanxiyuan to take care of Prince Jin's daily life.
That day, Zi Su brought an iced lunch box and called out to Chen Cheng when she saw him. "Second Brother Chen, come here. This is the sweet-scented osmanthus Pu'er crispy mountain that I learned to make from Madam Jiang. There are two servings, one for you and one for Brother Chen. Eat them quickly, or they will melt."
Chen Cheng had just finished boiling the medicine for King Jin and was sweating all over his forehead. When he heard this, his eyes lit up. He picked up the Sushan and scooped a big spoonful. He immediately found it delicious, refreshing and heat-relieving. He finished it in three or two spoonfuls in no time.
After finishing the meal, he couldn't forget it and wanted to eat Chen Zhang's portion, but Zi Su stopped him: "This is for Brother Chen."
Chen Cheng said: "He's not at home, so it would be a waste to burn it."
Shisu said, "Keep it chilled carefully, it can last until the evening."
"Then he can't eat it either."
"Why, Brother Chen has been out for several days?"
Chen Cheng chuckled and didn't answer her. He closed the lid of the food box and said, "Okay, I'll keep it for him. Thank you, Miss Zisu."
There is nothing more to be said about this.
Zi Su replied to Congying, who nodded, "It's not like we've gained nothing. At least we know Chen Zhang isn't in the mansion. Chen Cheng is so alert because he's wary of us asking around."
What was Chen Zhang doing? Was he going to Xizhou to assassinate Saburo? Cong Ying still didn't dare to make a conclusion.
After much deliberation, she decided to go to Guanxiyuan to investigate the situation herself.
Cong Ying made another portion of Osmanthus Flower Pu'er Sushan, put it in an icy food box and brought it to Guanxiyuan. When he stepped into the house, he saw Prince Jin sitting on the Arhat bed studying the chess manual.
Cong Ying said, "I made a bowl of Su Shan and brought it to Your Highness to try."
King Jin didn't seem surprised, he just smiled and said, "Thank you."
He took the Su Shan and savored it slowly. Without looking at the chessboard he had laid out, he glanced around the room and asked, "I heard that Big Brother Chen is not at home. I've seen Second Brother Chen busy all these past two days. Can he take good care of His Highness?"
Prince Jin said, "The Princess sent Nanny Guan from her side to help temporarily."
As they were talking, Nanny Guan walked in. Seeing Congying there, she immediately beamed with joy. "Greetings to His Highness and Madam Jiang. Her Highness the Princess sent me to ask. Doctor Zhang is here to check on your pulse. Would he like to come and take a look at Your Highness as well?"
Prince Jin said in a cold voice, "He still dares to come? No need."
Cong Ying was curious: "What happened to Doctor Zhang?"
The Prince of Jin said, "I've never seen you so interested in other people's affairs before. Now that you're leaving the palace and moving to Taiyi, you've already asked the Chen brothers and now you're asking Doctor Zhang."
After he said this, Nanny Guan below showed a look of surprise for a moment.
Prince Jin glanced at her, and Nanny Guan quickly said, "This old servant will withdraw first."
Only Prince Jin and Congying were left in the room. Prince Jin stroked the rim of the porcelain bowl containing the Sushan and said to Congying, "Whatever you want to know, you can just ask directly."
Cong Ying was just thinking about how to start, and was surprised when she heard this: "Your Highness, how did you know I was here..."
Of course it was because she had done something similar in her previous life - offering a bowl of Sushan for no reason.
At that time, I wanted to find out why Du Rupan was stripped of his official position and imprisoned, and whether he had any hand in this matter. But today, who is it for and why?
Cong Ying asked him, "Where is Chen Zhang?"
The King of Jin said, "Xizhou."
"What is he doing in Xizhou?"
The question was quite suspicious. The chess piece between King Jin's fingers fell with a "click" sound. He looked up at her and said, "What do you think?"
From Ying: "I want to hear what Your Highness has to say."
"Will you believe me?" King Jin smiled. "If you do, I promised you before. Why do you keep asking me again and again? If you don't believe me, what's the point of me repeating it over and over again? It won't relieve your worries or fatigue."
From the firefly in silence.
This was exactly the crux of her problem.
The crispy mountain in the bowl gradually melted, and the atmosphere became silent and a little awkward. Cong Ying sat opposite King Jin, grabbed a handful of chess pieces from the chess basket, and played chess with him.
The black and white pieces made a sound when they moved against each other, but the two of them were silent until the end of the game, when Cong Ying lost.
At this time, Nanny Guan came back and brought in a bowl of black medicine, respectfully handing it to Prince Jin.
She said, "This is the new health-preserving prescription that Doctor Zhang has prepared for Your Highness. Please take it."
Prince Jin had to drink medicine several times a day. He was thinking about Cong Ying's idea. He was not distracted when he heard it. He picked up the medicine bowl and drank it happily, then rinsed his mouth with strong tea.
Today's medicinal soup has a strangely sweet taste.
Even after Nanny Guan left, Cong Ying's gaze was still lingering on the chessboard, looking at the endgame.
The King of Jin said, "You lost because your mind was not at peace."
"My skills are inferior to yours, and my strategies are inferior to yours." Cong Ying said, picking up the pieces on the chessboard one by one. "But I didn't worry about this before, because I am not your enemy, and I know that your Highness will not harm me."
"Has this changed your mind now?"
"Now, Your Highness is still doing this for my own good, recommending me to be the Grand Master of Ceremonies. I am grateful to Your Highness, but..."
Cong Ying paused for a moment, her eyes as clear as autumn water, as she gazed at the Prince of Jin. "But my assistance to your lord and my service to the Grand Master do not mean I will abandon San Lang. Although he is far away in Xizhou, he is still my husband. Our shared destiny is not just empty talk."
What a harsh sentence.
The King of Jin lowered his eyebrows to the corners of his eyes, his gaze cold and gloomy, like quenched ice: "Live and die together? Are you threatening me?"
Cong Ying did not deny it.
She was not afraid of taking on King Jin's emotions. Whether it was love or hate, he always left her room.
But she didn't dare to bet on what he would do to Sanlang. After going around in circles, she still had the same doubts in her heart: they were not related at all, but were rivals in love who had stolen her wife. Why would he protect Sanlang and show mercy?
If trust cannot find a reason, cracks will appear from time to time.
So when Madam Xie's letter pointed to Prince Jin, Cong Ying didn't dare to gamble anymore. The most gentle way for her to have the best of both worlds was to be tied to the same boat with Sanlang. At least when Prince Jin decided to kill her, she would be the first to bear the brunt of the attack, so that he would be afraid to act rashly.
How clumsy, how ridiculous, and how pitiful and hateful.
Prince Jin raised his hand and swept the chess pieces she had not picked up to the ground, and the jade chess pieces rolled all over the ground with a crackling sound.
He seemed to be about to say something harsh, but suddenly he covered his face and coughed violently, his chest shaking continuously, and a surge of blood rushed to his throat, but he swallowed it back.
He was too lazy to act pitiful in front of her.
He leaned back slightly on the railing of the Arhat bed, with a pale and thin neck exposed from his black gold crane cloak, which slowly rolled with his breathing, as if he was swallowing some unpleasant emotions.
After a long moment, he gave a cold, bitter smile and said to Cong Ying, "I will follow your instructions and protect him as I would protect you. Are you satisfied with this?"
Then he pointed towards the door and said, "Go away."
Congying stood up, bowed to him, and walked out slowly.
When Nanny Guan left just now, she closed the door for the two of them. Cong Ying wanted to open the door, but found that it had been locked from the outside.
She didn't understand why, so she tried again and again to make sure it really couldn't be opened.
At this moment, she suddenly heard the King of Jin behind her let out a suppressed and restrained groan from his throat, not knowing whether it was pain or pleasure.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
